MVNU to host Kwibuka 32

Mount Vernon Nazarene University will host Kwibuka 32, an annual commemoration honoring the victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, on Saturday, April 18, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in Foster Hall at Ariel Arena. The event, organized in partnership with IBUKA USA, the Rwandan community in Ohio, Peace and Love Proclaimers, MVNU’s Office of Intercultural Life and the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission, is open to the public.

Kwibuka — meaning “to remember” in Kinyarwanda — is observed annually around the world as a time of reflection, education, and solidarity. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of a genocide that claimed more than one million Tutsi lives in just 100 days. The commemoration theme, “Remember, Unite, Renew,” calls communities together to honor those who were lost, support survivors, and recommit to a future built on peace.

“Hosting this commemoration at MVNU carries deep personal and collective meaning for me and all Rwandans here in the state of Ohio,” said MVNU student Pamela Isimbi. “As someone whose parents are survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, this moment is not only about remembrance, but also about honoring resilience, preserving truth, and ensuring that such atrocities are never forgotten.”

The program will include testimonies from genocide survivors who will share their lived experiences, an exhibition tracing the history of the genocide, and a time of communal remembrance. Attendees are asked to wear black, grey, or other dark colors as a sign of mourning and respect.

“This event will be both highly meaningful and educational for our students and the broader community. In a time when societal and political divisions are increasingly visible, this gathering offers an important opportunity to reflect on the consequences of deep-rooted conflict and division,” said Joseph Joe, Assistant Director of Intercultural Life at MVNU. “The history being remembered reminds us of the devastating impact that hatred can have within a society, while also pointing us toward the importance of unity, compassion, and mutual respect — especially among people with differing perspectives.

“This event is particularly unique in that attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from genocide survivors. Their testimonies provide powerful, firsthand insights into one of the most tragic and inhumane events in modern history, offering perspectives that can be deeply impactful and life changing.”

MVNU currently enrolls 12 students from Rwanda, several of whom have been personally impacted by the genocide.

“Being part of a community like MVNU that creates space for reflection, education, and dialogue is incredibly powerful,” Isimbi added. “It allows us to uplift the voices of survivors, recognize the strength of those who rebuilt their lives, and inspire a shared commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity.”

To register for the event, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqvIXtModpstxE_UgAPcciYoj2LXpwz6gDpEqiSWGcImFRfA/viewform.